The Gig Life Podcast

Episode 79: Jason Bruer

Jason Bruer is a saxophonist from Sydney.

Born and raised in Adelaide, Jason didn’t start playing music till his very late teens. He studied music at Adelaide University in the same year as his brother and sister. That’s a unique story in itself. He played around Adelaide with quintet Small Hours before joining the band Fat Time, which quickly outgrew Adelaide so he moved with the band to Sydney. From there Fat Time went on to win Star Search that then lead to national tours with Joe Cocker, Santana, Joan Armatrading and KC & the Sunshine Band as well as TV show appearances. 

Jason moved to London in the later 80s to give the scene a crack. That move eventually lead him to play with Jools Holland, Sting, Eric Clapton, Mick Hucknell and many others. 

He also played on the soundtrack to Three Weddings and a Funeral.

Health issues started to take their toll on Jason in early 2000’s and so they moved back to Sydney. 

These days Jason leads his powerhouse sextet, Hammerhead amongst other projects. 

 

Episode recorded 07/04/2020.

 

Intro music: "Sychophanticide' by Hammerhead (Turning Point)

Outro music: "Blues for Jones" by Hammerhead (Turning Point) 

 

https://jasonbruer.com

 

https://www.facebook.com/jason.bruer.5

 

https://www.facebook.com/hammerheadjazz/

 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF6rPEzSNyUalKGXmt5uTGA

 

 

As discussed in this episode, who wore the mullet better? Jason or Stevie? Cast your vote. 

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Episode 78: Emma Pask

Emma Pask.

Award winning vocalist Emma Pask has firmly established herself as one of Australia’s favourite voices in Jazz.

Her effortless honest stage presence combined with her powerful vocal ability, leaves audiences spellbound and inspired whenever she takes to the stage.

While Emma’s voice and style are unique, and individually her own, her performances are reminiscent of the classic era of jazz, when swing was top of the charts. Her talent was first spotted by internationally renowned jazz great James Morrison, when she was just 16 years old. She joined his band as the lead vocalist at 16, and went on the spent a solid 20 years touring the world with Morrison.

In 2013, Emma was asked to try out for season 2 of The Voice, then promised by Ricky Martin to sing on his album. That didn’t happen. She secured a recording contract with Universal, that didn’t quiet go to 

plan so after an amicable split with the record company, Emma was again an independent artist. 

Also add to all the that, there’s solo records, tours all around the world, and always high praise for her band and musicians she works with.

And did you know that Emma was also the voice of Dorothy the Dinosaur?

We talk about all that stuff. I also asked her about vocal technique vocal scatting which is part of Emma’s sound. 

We were supposed to meet up in person for this podcast, but COVID 19 hit so we connected via video. Please excuse the sound quality in some places. 

As the great jazz virtuoso James Morrison says of Emma, “Whilst it’s fashionable to be a jazz singer these days, she is the real thing!”

 

Recorded 05/04/2020.

 

Episode music: "Georgia on my Mind" - Emma Pask with Sydney All Star Big Band.

 

https://emmapask.com

 

https://www.facebook.com/emmapaskmusic/

 

https://www.instagram.com/emmapask/?hl=en

 

https://www.youtube.com/user/emmapask

 

Emma Pask Apple Music

 

Emma Pask Spotify

 

Source: Cairns Post - “So for me, entering The Voice was a way for me to create longevity and expose myself, in a way. I’m definitely comfortable with the experience. It put me back on my toes again." 

 

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Episode 76: Darryn Farrugia

My guest today is Australian drumming legend, Darryn Farrugia.

When I was an beginner drummer in NZ in the early 90s, there wasn’t much access to international drummers apart from magazines or Starlick or DCI videos. So I used to sit down every Saturday night and study Darren doing his thing as the house band drummer on Hey Hey It’s Saturday. He used to blow me away with his playing and crack me up with his quirk by sticking his head in the TV shot he wasn’t suppose to be in haha!

Daz studied with Frank Corniola and Virgil Donati and he also spent time in the US to study with Marvin Smitty Smith and Joe Morello. 

One day, Darren got a call to dep for Virgil on the Burt Newton show which opened some doors and eventually lead to his call up to Hey Hey Saturday. Through Hey Hey, he got to play with Tom Jones, Tina Arena, The Commodores, Trisha Yearwood,  Joe Cocker,  B.B. King, Bonnie Raitt, Jeff ‘Skunk’ Baxter, Randy Crawford,  Roger Daltry, Barry Manilow, Jackson Browne, Rene Geyer, Thelma Houston Tommy Emmanuel to name just a few.

Darren started teaching at age 16 and has maintained that right through his career. As well as spending a few years teaching in the UK, he’s released 2 books called Groove Perspectives and The Groove Perspectives Playalong, and he has a top notch drumming YouTube channel which has great content, looks awesome and sounds fantastic. 

Among all that, he’s a pretty mean woodworker, and shares an alter ego by the name of Giuseppe The Giraffe on his instagram.

Cheers,

Stevie.

 

Episode recorded 22/03/2020.

 

Episode Intro Music: Chase the Scene - Darryn Farrugia (Seeds 2016).

Episode Outro Music: Seeds - Darryn Farrugia (Seeds 2016).

 

https://www.darrynfarrugia.com

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009112474438

https://www.instagram.com/darryn_farrugia/?hl=en

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX8QuB9vhtFUjkLQT44HMQA

 

 

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Episode 75: Darryl Beaton

Darryl Beaton is a multi-instrumentalist, musical director, songwriter and producer.

Born and raised in Tasmania Australia to a drummer dad, and singer mum, obviously music is going to be part of everyday life. 

DB moved to Sydney in his late teens to begin working his way up the ladder to becoming one of Australia’s leading musical directors. 

In his late 20s, a trip to Morocco then onto Africa to study the music, he came home with a completely different outlook on life and music. 

After meeting the Martinez brothers, they formed a band called Darryl Beaton and the D1 Cartel which went on to write record an album as well as play the Sydney scene. 

Darryl has gone on to play with Guy Sebastian, Stan Walker, Diana Rouvas and many others, to TV shows Sunrise and Dancing with the Stars.
And when Kayne West is in town, He’s calls Darryl in to help create Grammy winning songs. 

These days Darryl is keyboardist, guitarist and musical director for 2 of Australia’s best, Delta Goodrem and Jess Mauboy. 

As well as discussing all I’ve just mentioned here, we dug deep into the inner workings of a musical director and Darryl's approach to it all.

 

Episode recorded 25/02/2020.

 

Check out Darryl's Facebook, Instagram and YouTube 

Check out Darryl Beaton & The D1 Cartel.

 

Watch Darryl with Jess Mauboy and Delta Goodrem at Fire Fight Australia Benefit Concert

 

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Please donate to The Sound of Silence and Support Act to help artists, roadies and music workers through this difficult time due to COVID 19

 

https://www.thegiglifepodcast.com

 

You can check out The Gig Life Podcast socials on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter

Episode 75: Ara Adams-Tamatea

Ara Adams-Tamatea is the bass player for NZ band, L.A.B.

Born in the Hutt Valley of NZ, growing up on the Kapiti Coast, music was always around and bass was always the instrument for Ara. 

The back yard jams with the whanau, having to learn guitar for the local kapa haka group because he couldn’t work out the actions, to then seeing The Eagles Hell Freezes Over concert and having that epiphany moment, that this music thing was what he wanted to do with his life. 

A move to Hamilton to study at Uni, playing in cover bands which lead him to joining Katchafire as full time bassist and manager, to becoming a DJ, a promoter and then just wanting to just go back to playing bass again which lead him to stints with Magic Paora, 1814, Sons of Zion, Paua, The Marley NZ Allstars and ultimately his home now, his vehicle, L.A.B. 

Ara is an incredible musician, a self confessed music geek, a kind and humble man, and a real mean hang. 

 

Podcast episode recorded 03/03/20.

 

Episode Music.

Intro: In the Air - L.A.B (III)

Outro: Shadows - L.A.B (III)

 

Check out Ara's Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

 

Check out L.A.B's Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

 

L.A.B's music is available here as well as Apple Music, Spotify etc...

 

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Check out The Catch Up,  a "live" Facebook show featuring Josh Gage and Mr Lavender. 
Produced by Gino Hawkins.
Live every Sunday. See facebook page for times.  

 

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Episode 74: Hamish Stuart

Hamish Stuart is an Australian drumming legend.

Born and raised in Sydney, Hamo had the idea very early on that if he could just play drums and make a living, survive as a musician, then that what he wanted. 

Hamish has gone on play with Ayers Rock, Marcia Hines, Billy Fields, Doug Parkinson, Jackie Orszaczky, Mike Nock, Barry Leef, The Catholics, Lucie Thorne, Jade MacRae, Don Walker, and many more. 

Known for his musicality, versatility, reliability, wit and delivery, the hang, and always beautiful sounds drums, so its pretty clear that this is why he’s been able make that living, and survive as a musician for as long as he has. 

In this chat, we talk about his life, his experiences as a working musician in Australia and of course we talk a bit about drums.

Hamo tells some great stories too, except for the one that he forgets, but we had a special guest fill in the blanks on that one. Thank you Gordon Rytmeister.

Recorded in Manly, Australia 17/02/2020.

Intro Music: "Netherness in You" - (Hamish Stuart, Jackie Orszarsky, Dave Symes).

Outro Music: "Northern Town" - Lucie Thorne (Hamish Stuart, Dave Symes, Chris Abrahams).

 

Hamish Stuart endorses Gretsch Drums.

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Episode 73: Barry Leef

 

Barry Leef is a vocalist and guitarist born and raised in Blenheim, a small town in the South island of NZ. 

He moved to Wellington to chase his dream, formed the band The Simple Image, had a number 1 hit and on things rolled from there.  

Barry moved to Sydney in the late 60s where the music scene was booming, playing 3 gigs a day, 6 days a week.  

He met Frank Zappa at a gig, joined his band and toured around Australia for awhile,  

In the mid 70s, Barry and his mate Ian Couch started the now famous Muso's club gig in Sydney which became the place to be, a real institution.  

As well as also being a professional session singer, Baz kept busy through the 80s, 90s, the 2000s and now with his own bands, projects and shows.  

In 2018, Barry released his album Rhythmized, featuring Peter Northcote, Dario Bortolin, Bill Risby, Mick Skelton, Kere Buchanan, Ashleigh Leef, Tony Azopardi, Tom Rainey and Garry Steel. 

You can find more information on Barry here at his website, facebook and bandcamp

Episode music: Intro - "Forever" from Rhythmized (Barry Leef)

                         Outro - "Baby Come Back" from Rhythmized (Barry Leef)

 

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A big thank you to Aeron Napper and the team at Raptor Signs

Check them out for all your graphics, signage, design, installation and car graphics and covering.

Click here to securely donate to The Gig Life Podcast.

Your support is very much appreciated. Thank you.

 

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Episode 72: Dane Laboyrie

Dane Laboyrie is a Trumpeter and vocalist from Sydney, Australia. 

His trumpet mastery has seen him onstage alongside Taylor Swift, Noel Gallagher, Hugh Jackman, Tim Minchin, James Morrison, The Cat Empire, Boy & Bear, The Potbellez, The Ministry of Sound Orchestra and countless others. 

Dane has also played in the orchestra pits for theatre shows such as Disney's Aladdin, Wicked, Fidler on the Roof, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels + more. 

 

Here is the picture of Dizzy Gillespie that we talked about. Those cheeks eh?

 

Here is Rock Out with your Lockout by Dane Laboyrie. Written about the Sydney Lockout Laws.

 

Episode recorded 05/02/2020 in Sydney, Australia. 

 

Episode Music: Intro -  Im Cool with That by Dane Laboyrie
                         Outro -  You Got Me - by Dane Laboyrie

 

 

https://www.danelaboyrie.com

https://www.thehornsection.com.au

https://www.facebook.com/DaneLaboyrieMusic/

https://www.instagram.com/danelaboyrie

 

 

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A big thank you to Aeron Napper and the team at Raptor Signs

Check them out for all your graphics, signage, design, installation and car graphics and covering.

 

Click here to securely donate to The Gig Life Podcast.

Your support is very much appreciated. Thank you.

 

https://www.thegiglifepodcast.com

 

You can check out The Gig Life Podcast socials on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter

Episode 71: Abe Rounds

Abe Rounds is drummer, bass player, song writer and producer from Sydney, but now living in LA.

Abe first picked up drum sticks and started playing when he was 1 year old. His father is legendary Sydney bass player, Victor Rounds so as you can imagine, there was music in the house right from the beginning. Jamming with Victor's musicians friends was common place so there was invaluable lessons learned. 

Abe went to Newtown Performing Arts school and also studied with local drumming legends. He was playing clubs from the age of 16 and cutting his teeth in the Sydney music scene. 

Then he decided he wanted to go to Berklee School of Music in Boston. So at the age of 20 he left Sydney for the US. 

It was there that he met Meshell Ndegeocello who came to Berklee do do a masterclass and Abe was chosen to play with her. From there, Meshell asked Abe to join her band full-time which he still does to this day. 

Abe has also gone on to play with Seal, Doyle Brahmall, Blake Mills, Pino Palladino, Madison Cunningham, Mike Elizondo, Jeff Babko and many others. 

Abe and his friend Jake Sherman have their own original project called Jake and Abe.

 

Episode recorded 6/1/2020 in Sydney.

 

https://www.aberounds.com

Abe's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abester8/?hl=en
Jake & Abe: https://www.instagram.com/jakeandabe/?hl=en
Innovative Percussion: http://www.innovativepercussion.com/artists/abe_rounds

 

 

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Episode 70: Carmel Mesiti

Carmel is a vocalist and singing teacher form Sydney. 

She’s sung for many of Australia’s greats including Marcia Hines, Delta Goodrem, Human Nature, Christine Anu, David Campbell, Spud Murphy, Chaz Bono, Jake Shears, Courtney Act, Steve Balbi, Doug Parkinson, Angry Anderson and Vanessa Amorossi as well as performing on Television shows such as Aust Idol, Mornings with Kerry-Anne Kennerley, Midday with Ray Martin and In Sydney Today, amongst others.

Carmel has her own singing school called The Singing Room and she also has her own band called Soul Play.

 

Episode recorded 12/12/2019 at The Singing Room, Sydney. 

 

https://www.facebook.com/carmelmesitimusic/

https://www.facebook.com/thesingingroom1/

 

https://www.facebook.com/soulplaybandsydney/

 

https://www.instagram.com/carmelmesiti/?hl=en

 

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